Chapter 20
Sharpay cried herself to sleep. She woke up at 2:00 A.M. She couldn't sleep very well with the guilt of losing Emmy.
But it wasn't just that that was upsetting her. Another part of her sadness was the fact that Troy lied to her about loving her. She knew that he really didn't love her. He liked Gabriella.
At 2:11 A.M., she got her old tennis shoes on. They had pink shiny studs on them, but she had bought them a week ago, so she considered them old. She put on a pair of hot pink sweatpants and a light pink shirt. Over her shirt, she put on a sweatshirt that matched her sweatpants.
She took her hair out of her messy ponytail and brushed out her hair. She then put her hair in the hood of her sweatshirt and pulled the hood over her head. She grabbed her cell and slowly crept downstairs.
After she got outside of the house, she began to walk. She walked down the street and took all different kinds of turns, not knowing which way to go. She followed her best instinct and tried to get in the head of a fourteen-year-old.
She was going after Emmy.
****
Gabriella had no problem getting out of the hospital. There was nobody in the halls, so it was easy. After she made it out, she went to a pay phone a couple miles down. She put in some coins and dialed a number.
"Happy Flight Incorporated, how may I help you?"
"Do you have any flights that are going to Wisconsin? Tonight?"
"Well, we have a 6:00 A.M. flight coming up this morning."
"Great! Do you have any tickets left?"
"Yes, but not many."
"Okay."
Gabriella hung up the phone. She walked to the curb and yelled for a taxi. After a while, a taxi pulled over.
"Happy Flight Incorporated, please."
"You got it."
Gabriella thought as she was driven to the airport. Her mother would be worried sick, but she had to go to Sandy. Sandy needed her.
After a while, they pulled up to the airport. Sandy gave the man a tip, and then ran into the building.
There was no line at the front desk, so she ran up.
"How may I help you?"
"I need a ticket for the flight to Wisconsin, please."
"Alright. We have some left." The woman pulled out a ticket. "That will be eight hundred dollars."
"Eight hundred?! I don't have that much."
"I'm sorry, but then you can't go."
Gabriella looked at the woman. "But I need to. You don't even understand!"
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that."
Gabriella walked away.
"Excuse me, but could I be of any assistance?"
Gabriella turned to see Troy.
"Troy! What are you doing here?"
"My aunt works here, so sometimes I come down."
"This early?"
"Sometimes."
"Oh."
"What are you doing here?"
"I have to go to Wisconsin. One of my friends needs me."
"What happened?"
"Her boyfriend died."
Troy looked down, embarrassed. "I'm sorry."
"For what? You didn't know. Anyways, how are things with Sharpay?"
"I can't believe you made me do that."
"Troy, just be nice to her."
"I try to be, but she just let Emmy run away."
"What?!" "Yeah."
"Well, then, why aren't you out looking for her?"
"Gabriella, what's the use? I don't know where she went."
"Did you call the police?"
"No, she's had enough time with them. Besides, what good will it do to get a couple more people looking for her?"
"It could go pretty far."
Troy was silent.
"But, I am sorry to hear that, Troy. I really am."
Troy looked at her. "Thanks."
"But, seeing that there's no use in hanging around here, I guess I'll just go back to the hospital."
"Wait, that's right! You should be in the hospital! Don't you have pains when you walk?"
"They've gotten better. I mean, it still hurts a little, but not as much."
Troy nodded. "So, why aren't you going to Wisconsin?"
"I don't have enough money."
"I could help you. I have some money."
"Troy, how are you supposed to cover eight hundred dollars? I only have four hundred and fifty-eight dollars."
"Well, I have five hundred."
"With you? Here?"
"Yeah." Troy took out his wallet. He handed her a wad of money. "That should cover it."
"Troy, I can't take this."
"Please, take it. It'll make up for not taking the necklace."
Gabriella kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you."
She ran up to the counter. "One ticket to Wisconsin, please."
****
Emmy sighed as she shook with fright. She had been very close to hurting herself. On purpose.
She couldn't bring herself to do it. Something stopped her. But, then again, something else told her to do it.
Emmy really didn't want to kill herself, but part of her said to do it. Besides, her life sucked.
Although she was about to, that wouldn't have solved anything. It wouldn't make her life any better. It would just end it.
Emmy began to cry. She needed Troy more than ever.